I fear for my life, for my family,' Gabrielle Ludwig, a trans woman, expressed grave concerns about her safety and that of her loved ones after seeing her image used in anti-trans political ads by Republican campaigns, stating, 'There are trans people killed for no other reason than because they're trans. By Trump coming out and using my image, I feel that he's feeding the fire.' This sentiment underscores the heightened risk transgender individuals face as their identities are weaponized in political discourse.
Ludwig, who was featured in multiple Senate ads opposing Democratic candidates, recounted the distress caused by the unauthorized use of her images, saying, 'I haven't been able to sleep. I don't want my family affected. I have granddaughters, daughters who are in college. I only did this because I love to play basketball. That's all it ever was.' This captures the emotional toll and unintended consequences of political exploitation on personal lives.
Joshua Kelley, a Navy serviceman and drag performer, voiced his frustrations over being leveraged in Trump ads criticizing Biden, declaring, 'To those who want to use me for their campaigns. Remember to keep that same energy when we keep winning, and I'm still serving.' His remarks reflect a refusal to be defined or utilized by political narratives that do not honor his service and identity.
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